Decorative Arts Collection

Dining Room Table

American Empire, Duncan Phyfe-style mahogany dining room table likely made by John Needles, a prominent Maryland furniture maker, Quaker, and abolitionist, circa 1815. Owned by James Maccubbin Carroll. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Kitchen Table

Federal, cherry harvest table with a drop leaf made in either Maryland or Pennsylvania, circa 1800. Believed to have been owned by Margaret Tilghman Carroll. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Game Table

Federal, carved and painted, flip-top game table with turned and tapered legs attributed to Hugh and John Finley, prominent Baltimore furniture makers, circa 1810. The miniature of Mount Clare in the center frieze is believed to have been painted by Francis Guy. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Pie Crust Table

George III, carved mahogany, tilt-topped tripod table, circa 1770. It was likely ordered by the Barrister from his English agent in a letter dated February 24, 1767. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Washington Mantel Clock

French Empire, ormolu mantel clock by Jean-Baptiste Dubuc, a Parisian clock maker, circa 1805. He was probably trying to capitalize on the fad for Washington memorabilia after the former president’s 1799 death. Dubuc used a phrase from Gen. “Light Horse Harry” Lee’s eulogy, “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” However, the first seven clocks  -- including this one -- had a slight error, probably to save room, that said “first in his countrymen’s hearts.” These clocks were likely consigned to John Shaw, a cabinet maker in Annapolis who ordered additional, corrected clocks.

In 1824 General Lafayette bought similar clocks to present to his American friends during his celebrated tour of the United States during the country’s 50th anniversary. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Cellerette

George III, Sheraton cellarette, or wine cooler, made of mahogany and brass. The zinc-lined interior was packed with ice that would drip through a hole into a bucket below. The Barrister likely ordered in a September 1760 letter to his London agent William Anderson. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Fire Screen

George III, mahogany and painted fire place screen with arched cabriole legs that end in snake feet. Margaret Carroll used this at Mount Clare. The Barrister likely ordered it in a Nov. 10, 1764, letter to his English merchant, William Anderson. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Plate Warmer

Queen Anne, copper plate warmer with an open front, circular hood, and cabriole legs with pad feet. The back foot is missing. The Barrister probably ordered it in a May 23, 1759, letter to his London merchant, William Anderson. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Traveling Spirit Case

George III-style, oak, traveling spirits box lined with apricot velvet. Ordered by the Barrister from London in an Oct. 29, 1766 letter. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Pewter Dishes

Pewter platter and plate with the Gough family crest on the flat rim. This is part of a 20-piece set believed to be a wedding gift to Sophia Gough, from her father Harry Dorsey Gough, when she married James Maccubbin Carroll. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Punch Bowl

Rose medallion Chinese export punch bowl, circa 1825. The central medallion and side panels depict domestic scenes. This is believed to have been owned by either James Maccubbin Carroll or his son James Carroll. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

China

Red and Blue Chinese export platter, part of a large set used by the Barrister and Margaret Tilghman Carroll. It may be the “4 dozen Burnt China Plates” ordered by the Barrister from London on May 23, 1759. According to family lore,  the Barrister used it for a gala dinner honoring General Lafayette and other French officers after the Battle of Yorktown. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Ginger Jars

Chinese Canton blue and white ginger jars, circa 1780. This pair belonged to Lt. Col. Tench Tilghman, who married his first cousin, Anna Maria Tilghman, Margaret’s younger sister. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Finger Bowls

George III, cobalt blue, glass wine rinsers or finger bowls. The set of 6 belonged to Lt. Tench Tilghman, Margaret Tilghman Carroll’s first cousin and brother-in-law.

Silver Punchbowl

George III, silver punch bowl with lions head and ring handles linked by laurel swags and rosettes. Engraved with the Carroll and Tilghman family crests and believed to have been purchased by the Barrister and Margaret during their 1771 trip to London. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Epergne

George III, silver epergne with boat-shaped open basket, eight arms holding four small baskets and four small trays. Made in London, 1763. This was not a Carroll family piece, but comes from Padworth House, a 1769 house now serving as a college in West Berkshire, England. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Silver Teapot

Silver teapot made in Baltimore by A.E. Warner in 1819 for Harry Dorsey Gough Carroll, the son of James Maccubbin Carroll and Sophia Gough. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Silver Cake Basket

George III, pierced silver cake basket with a quartered coat of arms for both the Carroll and Tilghman families. Made in London, circa 1765 by S. Herbert & Co. Courtesy of NSCDA-MD.

Silver Chocolate Pot

George III, silver chocolate pot with wooden handle and a quartered coat of arms for both the Carroll and Tilghman families. Made in London by Thomas Whipmam & Charles Wright, circa 1765. The Barrister probably ordered it from Mr. William Anderson in an October 24, 1764, letter.